‘Black Friday’ Offers Fender-Buster Deals

Daytona International Speedway weeks is wheeling and dealing on tickets. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Traditionally, the days surrounding the Thanksgiving celebration – “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” – are the busiest of the holiday shopping season.

Some of the country’s leading motorsports facilities are joining in the rush with discounts for 2011 events, including deals specifically geared toward Friday, Nov. 26, and Monday, Nov. 29. For the fan who has everything short of a fully functional dynamometer room, the following offers could be the answer to one-stop shopping.

DIS offering Speedweeks deals

A Speedweeks 2011 package tied to “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” featuring free shipping is being offered beginning today by Daytona International Speedway. Fans can choose from one of the following four packages, all priced at $49 per ticket:

– An infield/grandstand ticket with garage access for the Grand-Am Sports Car Series Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 29-30, a savings of 35 percent.

– Infield/grandstand ticket for NASCAR’s Budweiser Shootout/Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 12, with admission to the Budweiser Pre-Race Party that includes an appearance by former Daytona 500 champion Kevin Harvick, Hooters wings and beverages, a savings of 29 percent.

_ General admission grandstand ticket for the NextEra Energy Resources 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Friday, Feb. 18, and a Sprint FANZONE/Pre-Race pass, a savings of 24 percent.

Additionally, on both Friday, Nov. 26, and Monday, Nov. 29, race fans will receive free shipping (a savings of $14) for all tickets purchased (phone orders only) and fans will have the ability to customize a ticket envelope with a holiday gift message.

Children 12-and-under will be admitted free in the Sprint FANZONE during Speedweeks 2011 and free in the general admission areas during the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Budweiser Shootout, Gatorade Duel At Daytona and NextEra Energy Resources 250.

DIS also recently announced that fans may now carry in soft-sided coolers measuring 14 x 14 x 14 inches or 2,700 cubic inches _ six times the size previously permitted. In addition to the larger cooler, fans can carry in lightweight backpacks or daypacks, approximately 17 inches in length, similar to those used by school students. To purchase tickets to any of Daytona International Speedway’s events, call 1-800-PITSHOP or visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com

Joie Chitwood III, DIS president, previously announced the track had joined forces with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) for a special Daytona 500 ticket package to benefit an important cause.

The NFFF package, which starts at $119 for adults and $79 for children 12-and-under, includes a race ticket to the 53rd annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 20, admission to the Star and Shield FIRE STATION 500 hospitality tent and commemorative T-shirt.

A portion of the proceeds from each NFFF ticket package purchase will be donated to the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation, a tax-exempt, non-profit organization created by the U.S. Congress to lead a nationwide effort to remember America’s fallen firefighters. Since 1992, NFFF has developed and expanded programs to honor fallen fire heroes and assist their families and co-workers.

Auto Club Speedway is sharing its holiday spirit with NASCAR fans from coast-to-coast.

Fans purchasing a ticket to Auto Club Speedway’s Auto Club 500 between “Black Friday” (Nov. 26) and “Cyber Monday” (Nov. 29) will do so with no service fees and free shipping – a $12 savings per order on each – including the track’s special “Holiday Package.”

Fees will also be waived for those renewing season tickets.

Auto Club Speedway’s “Holiday Package” includes a grandstand ticket (Rows 11-14) to the Auto Club 500 on March 27; a weekend pit pass to get an up-close look as teams prepare for their Golden State debut and a certificate for a hot lap in the Auto Club Speedway car at a date to be determined – all for $49 (a savings of over $40).

Race fans visiting Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, Nov. 26, will have the opportunity to drive their personal vehicles on the famed superspeedway during the 18th annual Souvenir and Race Ticket Blow-Out.

Shoppers who spend at least $50 on merchandise or race tickets, or donate $25 to Speedway Children’s Charities, will be allowed to drive their personal vehicle for three laps around the 1.5-mile track.

Additionally, more than 200 motorcycles from the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA), are expected to participate. The GWRRA, a club open to owners of Honda Gold Wing motorcycles, made its first appearance at the Souvenir and Race Ticket Blow-Out in 2009, with nearly 100 riders. The organization, which has more than 40,000 members nationally and more than 30 local chapters in North Carolina, uses the event as an opportunity to give back to the community. Last year the group made a donation of nearly $2,000 to Speedway Children’s Charities for their three-lap tours.

For every $10 shoppers spend at the CMS ticket office, gift shop, or souvenir haulers, they will receive a sticker to be placed on a ride card. Once five stickers have been affixed, the card can be redeemed for a ride voucher available inside the Charlotte Motor Speedway gift shop. Once obtaining the ride voucher, fans will proceed to Gate 1 and enter the track through the Turn 4 tunnel. Cars will be guided onto pit road and assembled into groups. Once assembled, they will make their way down pit road and onto the track for three laps behind one of the track’s Toyota pace cars.

A wide variety of vehicles are expected to cruise the track between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., including classic muscle cars and modern sports cars, to minivans and hot rod trucks.

In addition to numerous track souvenirs, CMS will offer a full line of NASCAR memorabilia and apparel at reduced prices with many items selling for $1. There also will be a wide variety of hats and t-shirts available starting at $3. Nearly a dozen NASCAR souvenir rigs – including those of newly crowned five-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Mark Martin, Ryan Newman and Tony Stewart among others – will be on hand offering drastically reduced prices. Items ranging from T-shirts and hats to posters and die-cast cars will be available.

CMS’ ticket office will be open throughout the event. Fans who purchase $99 in race tickets will receive a free $25 gift card good for speedway tickets, camping or pit passes. Tickets to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race start at $39 and tickets to the Coca-Cola 600 start at $49. Gift cards also are available for stocking stuffers in $25 or $50 amounts.

Coach America will provide shuttle service from The Las Vegas Strip to Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Wednesday, Dec. 1, for the Chasers for Charity Fanfest.

The Fanfest is the kickoff for NASCAR Champion’s Week in Las Vegas. The free fan event will be highlighted by an appearance from the 12 Chase for the Sprint Cup drivers, who will participate in a Family Feud-style game show. The event includes track tours, a celebrity go-kart race, show cars, the Sprint Experience, live music, Richard Petty Driving Experience rides and a question and answer session with SPEED personalities Krista Voda and Larry McReynolds. The event is free to the public and will be held in the Neon Garage at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Coach America shuttle buses will provide round-trip service from Treasure Island Hotel & Casino from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., MT. Return shuttle service (from speedway to hotel) will begin as soon as the event ends and will continue until 6 p.m.

Shuttle tickets may be purchased at the Coach America shuttle desk at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino (registration lobby). Shuttle tickets are $10 per person if purchased online prior to Monday, Nov. 29, and $20 per person if purchased at a Coach America desk. To purchase shuttle service tickets online or for more information, please visit http://chasers.coachamerica.com.

For more information, call LVMS at (702) 644-4444 or visit www.LVMS.com.

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Free admission offer from IMS

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is offering free general admission for fans 12-and-under for the 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500, and is encouraging all fans to purchase general admission tickets for “The Most Important Race in History” before Feb. 1, 2011 for an even better value.

New for 2011, the Indianapolis 500 will provide a family value purchase. All children under 12 will be admitted free every day of on-track activity from Opening Day, Saturday, May 14, through the race on Sunday, May 29, when accompanied by an adult general admission ticket-holder.

Fans have seat access with a general admission ticket on practice and qualification days and Miller Lite Carb Day. However, there is no seat access with a general admission ticket on race day.

Tickets are on sale online at www.imstix.com, by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or by visiting the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday. Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.

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Red Bull Indianapolis GP tickets on sale

Tickets for the 2011 Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix, scheduled for Aug. 26-28 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, are now on sale.

Race day general admission tickets are priced at $40, with Friday general admission $10 and Saturday general admission $20. A three-day general admission ticket is $60. A Friday-Saturday general admission ticket is $25. Race day reserved seat prices start at $70.

Children ages 12-and-under will be admitted free any of the three days of the event when accompanied by an adult with a general admission ticket.

Dani Pedrosa won the 2010 event, adding his name to an interesting mix of change and constants. Valentino Rossi, the 2008 race-winner and seven-time MotoGP World Champion, is moving to the Ducati Team in 2011 and will race on the 2.621-mile road course on the famous red bike after spending the last seven seasons at Yamaha. Nicky Hayden, the 2006 World Champion from Owensboro, Ky., will stay at Ducati as Rossi’s new teammate.

American Ben Spies, who won the pole this year as a rookie, is replacing Rossi on the factory Yamaha squad as a teammate to Jorge Lorenzo, 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis GP winner and 2010 World Champion.

All three Americans racing in MotoGP in 2010 will be on the grid in August 2011 at IMS, as Colin Edwards will remain at the Tech 3 Yamaha team and join Hayden and Spies in the race. American Kenny Noyes also will return to Moto2, one of the three World Championship classes competing at IMS.

To purchase tickets, visit www.imstix.com, call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or visit the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street. Ticket office and phone hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.

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NHRA Winternationals tickets available

General admission, reserved seat and Top Eliminator Club tickets are now available for the 51st annual Kragen O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals, scheduled for Feb. 24-27 at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

The first of 22 events in the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship and NHRA’s year-long 60th anniversary season, the event also will include a unique tribute to drag racing legend Don “The Snake” Prudhomme. Highlighting the tribute will be the “Snake Pit,” a display of race cars from Prudhomme’s racing career. Also included will be cars from the legendary Road Kings Car Club. Prudhomme also will be at the race throughout the weekend.

New for the 2011 Winternationals, NHRA has partnered with the ticket system ExtremeTix and is providing many new options for ticket buyers. Fans purchasing tickets online at www.NHRATIX.com now have the opportunity to select their actual seats. Fans also may print their tickets at home and email tickets to friends attending the race at no cost. Tickets also are available by phone at (800) 884-NHRA. Full event advance purchase adult ticket prices start at $130, with single-day advance purchase tickets starting at $25.

In addition to general admission and reserved seat tickets, fans also may purchase tickets in the Top Eliminator Club presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California. Top Eliminator Club members enjoy benefits including a prime starting line seating location, access to the members-only hospitality center, complimentary tea, lemonade and water all weekend, complimentary breakfast and lunch buffets Saturday and Sunday, a free members gift bag and access to exclusive TEC autograph and question and answer sessions with some of the biggest names in drag racing. Advance purchase Top Eliminator Club tickets are priced at $325.